Mexico Travel Forum

So I'm pretty sure between 2 and 6 of us will be spending several days in Mexico over Christmas this year. But I'm having a hard time nailing down a specific destination.

Here's what we want:
Cheap
Genuine
Alcohol-friendly
Low-key
Semi rural surrounding (near water, coast, woods, anything that grows)
Fairly forgiving of English-speakers

Here's what we're not interested in:
Resorts
Beach "paradise"
Spring-break types
Tons of tourists
Major cities

I know it's a pretty specific experience I'm looking for (somewhere to sleep, drink beer and tequila in a little cantina, watch some music, eat food with names I can't pronounce). Since I've never been to Mexico before, I was hoping some of the experienced travelers or natives can help me out.

Thank you so much!

Tulum is very nice. not at all like Cancun or other resorts further up the coat. Pretty low key but not roughing it. Small hotels or cabanas on the beach. White sand turqoise sea. Lots to do nearby including mayan ruins, cenote diving, eco treks.

http://www.tulum.com/

We have spend time in winter in Progreso, Yucatan. It is more Mexican than American, so you have the fairly cheap lodgings, reasonably priced beer and tequila, reasonable beach (but in December, the Gulf of Mexico is too chilly for Mexicans to swim - its fine for Canadians), etc. There are no spring-break types as there are no resort type hotels.

Access is a bit more difficult than Cancun. You would have to fly to Merida and taxi or bus it to Progreso. If you need more information, look up the Progreso pages on VT. (There is more than one Progreso in Mexico, so make sure you look at the one in Yucatan).

I agree with Mad4travel that Tulum is very nice. It is a beach paradise, but it's not like Cancun, which you should definitely avoid. If beaches are not important for you, San Cristobal de Las Casas just might be the place you're looking for.

Isla Holbox (pronounced Holebosh). Located 2-1/2 hours north of Cancun, it an island that time has essentially forgotten. It meets your requirements and I recommend it highly. Try Villas Paradiso, its fantastic and a great bargain compared to hotel deals in Cancun. We were there in July for our 2nd visit and just love the place. Very low key, sand roads, everyone drives golf carts (no cars to speak of), beaches all to yourself, swimming with whale sharks, great fishing.

Check out Isla Mujeres, just a short ferry ride over from Cancun. It is everything you listed and more! The island is only 5 miles long so, no need to rent a car. You can taxi around or rent a golf cart for the day or week. Lots of cheap accommodations and restaurants to choose from, friendly people and a beautiful beach. We usually get a condo with a kitchen and eat breakfast and lunch in to save $$ for happy hour!! Isla has the best sunrises and sunsets you can view from opposite sides of the island. Have Fun!!

http://www.myisla.com

Thank you to everyone who replied. The cheapest flights I can find are to go directly to Mexico City. From there, I'm starting to narrow down my destination search. I appreciate your help!

You might consider Puerto Escondido on the Oaxaxa coast. We were there a few years ago and enjoyed it. We also spent some days in Oaxaca, but there has been some political unrest there.